The last couple of weeks have been ignited by the news that streaming service Netflix is joining the game streaming world. The most intriguing of those rumors appeared to suggest that Netflix was set to partner with PlayStation for game streaming. While it would seem that Netflix won't be competing against the likes of xCloud and Google Stadia, it still intends to have some influence in the gaming industry. Recently, the company announced plans to offer smartphone games as part of its existing subscription.
As part of an effort to retain members, Netflix announced that the video games would be provided at no extra cost. The company lost over 400,000 subscribers in the US and Canada last quarter, a sign for analysts that the service is nearing its peak. Contrarily, Netflix seeks to provide more entertainment value going beyond streaming video through games, and hopes to leverage existing intellectual property to keep its current subscribers engaged.
During a company call on Tuesday, Chief Product Officer Greg Peters stated that "the success of this initiative is about great games, fundamentally." He also noted that games provide intentionality for players, and acknowledged that the company will "learn and grow and refocus our investment based on what we see is working." This level of freedom in decision-making will serve as a guide for Netflix in making better games and creative decisions.
This presents an interesting premise. Essentially, if a character in a Netflix-owned series was heavily used in gaming or was otherwise popular, there would be the chance of said character being featured more prominently in the future. In one such case, Peters suggested that a Netflix-based game could even potentially spawn a film or a series. While the company will still license some games, its goal seems to be eventually seeking to utilize its own intellectual property as a key differentiating factor among its rivals.
It's pretty interesting to see the company make its first foray into the game streaming world. Netflix originally built its service by licensing TV shows and movies, and it's doing a lot of the same for its games. Of course, Netflix gaming won't become a major force any time soon, though founder and co-chief executive office Reed Hastings has hopes that what once worked for video streaming will work for game streaming. Only time will tell, though for now, any rumors of a powerhouse crossover between Netflix and PlayStation can be put to rest.
Source: PushSquare